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EYE ON INDIA JULY 25, 2025 | The Indian Eye 8

Modi Bets Big on Bihar: Development, Youth

and Governance at Heart of NDA Campaign

As Bihar prepares for assembly elections later this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar have launched a high-voltage campaign, while targeting

the opposition’s past record of stagnation and misgovernance

OUR BUREAU
Motihari (Bihar)

n the politically charged landscape of Bihar, the
ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is
Ipulling out all stops to retain power in the up-
coming assembly elections. Prime Minister Naren-
dra Modi is leading the campaign with a series of
rallies and public addresses across the state, placing
development, infrastructure, and youth welfare at
the heart of his pitch. Alongside him, Chief Minis-
ter Nitish Kumar has intensified his own outreach,
promising welfare schemes and free electricity as
part of the state’s renewed governance narrative.
In a powerful rally in Motihari, PM Modi po-
sitioned Bihar not just as a political battleground
but as the epicenter of India’s development sto-
ry. “This is the land of Champaran, the land that
shaped Mahatma Gandhi’s direction during the
freedom movement. And now, this land will shape
the future of a developed Bihar,” he said, as he
inaugurated and laid the foundation for projects
worth over `7,000 crore.
Modi’s message was clear: Bihar is central to
India’s progress. “When Bihar moves forward,
the country moves forward. And Bihar will move
forward when its youth move forward,” he said,
drawing cheers from the crowd. He spoke at length
about how Bihar’s share of central funds increased A glimpse of the gathering during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public meeting, in Motihari on Friday (ANI)
significantly under his government — from `2 lakh
crore during the UPA’s 10-year rule to over `9 lakh vigorously — sometimes alongside the Prime Min- campaign is also loaded with political ammunition
crore during the NDA’s tenure. ister, sometimes solo — but always reinforcing the against the opposition. Both Modi and Nitish at-
But this campaign is not just about past figures. message of governance and continuity. At a sepa- tacked the previous RJD-Congress governments
Modi also rolled out a raft of forward-looking prom- rate event in Motihari, Nitish announced that the for stalling Bihar’s progress, allowing corruption,
ises, including a new employment-linked scheme Bihar government would soon offer free electricity and failing to deliver basic services. Modi warned
under which first-time private sector employees to residents. “There was a time when even Patna voters not to fall for “false promises” and accused
will receive `15,000 as government support. The had only eight hours of power. Now, we’re manag- past regimes of looting funds meant for the poor.
scheme, aimed at encouraging private hiring, is set ing electricity for the whole state, and soon it will The NDA campaign is also underscored by the
to be launched on August 1 with a projected outlay be free,” he said. symbolism of Operation Sindoor, referenced by
of `1 lakh crore — a clear signal that youth em- Nitish also unveiled `50,000 crore worth of Modi to highlight national security achievements
ployment will be a key electoral plank for the BJP. new schemes covering 430 development initiatives and Bihar’s role in shaping India’s defense narra-
Another major campaign focus is on bridging and promised one crore jobs for youth over the tive. “This is a new India — one that punishes its
the development gap between eastern and western next five years. The Chief Minister, who has weath- enemies from land and sky. And that strength was
India. Modi envisioned a future where “Motihari ered multiple political alignments, seemed firmly declared from Bihar’s soil,” he said.
shines like Mumbai,” and Gaya offers opportuni- aligned with Modi this time, as the NDA projects With elections likely in October-November,
ties like Gurugram. He spoke of industrial growth a united front against the INDIA bloc led by RJD the battle lines are drawn. As Bihar braces for an-
in Patna, better tourism in Jalpaiguri and Jajpur, and Congress. other high-stakes election, it is not just about caste
and transforming Santhal Pargana into a hub like The combined roadshow in Motihari by Modi, equations or legacy politics. This time, the cam-
Surat. This comparative framing of Bihar’s poten- Nitish Kumar, and Deputy CMs Vijay Kumar Sinha paign is being shaped by promises of infrastructure,
tial reflects an aspirational narrative — one that and Samrat Chaudhary added to the campaign’s vi- governance reforms, and a vision for Bihar that
contrasts sharply with the past, which Modi repeat- sual strength. “Bihar’s poor no longer need to hide aligns with India’s rise on the global stage. Wheth-
edly described as one of despair under RJD-Con- `10 from their husbands,” Modi quipped, refer- er this message resonates across the diverse social
gress rule. ring to the rise in women’s financial independence and political fabric of the state will determine not
Accompanying Modi’s robust push is Chief through Jan Dhan accounts and self-help groups. just the future of Bihar, but also the evolving equa-
Minister Nitish Kumar, who is campaigning just as However, this isn’t just an NDA showcase. The tion within the NDA itself.

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